Entrance Requirements - Undergraduates
All students wishing to enroll in the School of Music must meet the admission requirements for entrance to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The requirements for admission may be found online at www.utk.edu/admissions/apply or by writing to the Admissions Office.
Admission to the University does not automatically admit a student to programs in the School of Music (see School of Music Entrance Requirements below).
Audition and Music Theory Placement Examination
To be admitted to the School of Music, all new music students (freshman and transfer) must perform a successful audition in applied music and take a music theory examination. The results of the audition and the theory placement test will determine the student’s placement in applied music and theory.
No student officially progresses to a degree program in music until both a successful audition and entrance examination have been completed.
MinimumPerformance Standards
Potential performance and music education majors not meeting minimum performance standards, but showing potential, may be allowed to register for applied music (Music 101: Fundamentals of Performance) in order to attain the desired level. Such students are normally expected to demonstrate sufficient progress by the end of the first academic year to perform on a level commensurate with a freshman student accepted without reservation by the School. The addition of the extra semesters of study usually results in lengthening the period needed to satisfy requirements for advanced standing (300 level).
Music Education Admission
Students entering any one of four emphases in music education must complete the same audition procedures as performance majors as well as complete an interview with a member of the music education faculty.
Admission to Teacher Education (Music Education Admissions Board)
By the end of the second year, students normally will apply for admission to Teacher Education. Admission requirements include:
- successful completion of specified course work
- a speech and hearing test
- minimum scores on the ACT or PRAXIS I
- a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in music
- an overall GPA of at least 2.75
(See the Music Education Handbook for details about admission requirements).
Candidates are interviewed by an appointed Music Education Admissions Board. Upon receiving the positive recommendation from the Board, students are admitted to the Teacher Education Program and permitted to take required upper division education courses.
Students who pursue the music education curriculum are subject to all rules and regulations of the Teacher Education Program, which is housed in the College of Education, notwithstanding the fact that their degree will be awarded from the College of Arts and Sciences. Each student in music education is assigned an advisor from the Music Education Faculty. Further information about the Music Education Program may be obtained from the Coordinator of Music Education. Meetings in which important information for music education majors is discussed are held each year. It is important that students attend such meetings.
Theory/Composition Admission
Entering freshmen (or transfer students) desiring to be theory/composition majors must declare themselves as such when they enter and must attend composition solo class each semester.
Undergraduate students will be formally admitted to the theory/composition degree program after they have completed:
With a grade of B or better:
Theory I, II
Ear Training I, II
Introduction to Music Literature
Class Piano I, II (or equivalent)A student program review by the Theory/Composition faculty:
The student will complete and submit a Theory/Composition Degree Request form and optional examples of compositions or papers to be reviewed by the faculty.
The faculty will review materials submitted and the student’s progress, and grant or deny admission to the theory/composition degree program.
School of Music Honors Program
The School of Music offers an honors program for exceptional undergraduate students. Students wanting to enter the music departmental honors program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5, a music GPA of 3.5, and a recommendation from a faculty member. The recommendation is sent to the student’s major area (e.g., voice, jazz, education, musicology, theory) to be approved. Once the area approves the student for entrance to the honors program, a letter will be sent to the School of Music’s Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies admitting the student to the music departmental honors program.
Transfer Credit
After admission, transfer students will receive an evaluation of their transcript. The assigned adviser in the School of Music will provide consultation on any questions about the evaluation and will help plan the course of study.
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University of Tennessee
School of Music
1741 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996-2600
Phone: 865-974-3241
Fax: 865-974-1941
Email: music@utk.edu